Biography

The making of a Queen...

At the age of 9, Vilma was tapped to star opposite Gloria Romero & Rita Gomez in the movie "Anak, ang iyong Ina". She was discovered by her uncle Mr. Amaury Agra, who was a cameraman at the Sampaguita Studios. When she, together with her mother went to the Sampaguita compound to report, an audition was going on. Seeing the more than a hundred kids auditioning, Vi went and watched. Dr. Jose Perez, producer of Sampaguita, saw the little Vi and asked her to join the audition. Vi was hesitant because she know that she's there for a different movie, but she was prodded to join. When her turn came, she acted with veteran, Bella Flores. All the people were impressed, much more Dr. Perez! Vilma got the title role for the movie "Trudis Liit". So. that at age 9, she was making two movies at the same time!

Vi at four

She continued doing movies as daughter of big stars Gloria Romero, Lolita Rodriguez, Rita Gomez, Marlene dauden, Eddie Rodriguez and a lot more. In 1968, at the age of 15, she got the Best Supporting Actress award from the San Beda College Awards for the movie "Kasalanan Kaya?" She was also nominated for a FAMAS Award.

She had her first leading role in 1969, in the movie "My darling, Eddie". She also starred in various TV progrmas, one of which is "The Sensations" at ABS-CBN, together with the young stars of the era.

Vi at age one

At a Glance

Date of Birth: 03 November 1953
Education: U.P. - Diliman, Special Course on Public Administration
Family History: 2nd to the eldest child of Amado Santos of Bamban, Tarlac and Milagros Tuazon of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. Her siblings include Emelyn, Marites, Winnie and Sonny
First Professional Role: Trudis Liit at age 9
Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Naligaw na Anghel(1964) with Gil de Leon, Mila Ocampo & Leopoldo Salcedo

Vi in Longest Hundred Miles (1967)

Vi with Marlene Dauden in "Kasalanan Kaya?"(1968)

Vi with Olivia Cenizal in "Ging" (1964)

The whole santos family minus Sonny

Vi at six

Vi in her first movie"Trudis Liit", here with co-star Connie Angeles

In 1973, she starred as filipino superwoman, Darna in "Lipad, Darna, Lipad". It was a huge hit, grossing even bigger than the movie tandem of Joseph Estrada & Nora Aunor in "Erap is my Guy" and Fernando Poe, Jr. in "Esteban". From then on, Vilma was the undisputed Box Office Queen of Phil. Cinema. Aside from commercial success, she also gained critical acclaim. She won the FAMAS Best Actress in 1972 for her dual role in "Dama de Noche". She was the youngest winner at 19.

Critical acclaims continues. She is the only actress to have won the URIAN Best Actress award, three years in a row (1982, 1983, 1984). She is the only actress to have scored a quadruple Grandslam in Best Actress for the movies "Relasyon"(1982), "Dolzura Cortez Story"(1993), "Bata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa?"(1998) and "Dekada'70"(2002). She is also the only actress to be given two Circle of Excellence award by the FAMAS. She has also conquered the international prominence, winning the Best Actress in Brussels (1998) and CineManila(2003).

I'm sure and all the Vilmanians are certain, that more recognitions are coming, because the Star for all seasons is getting better and better. As what the late Lino Brocka said "Vilma is such a great actress that she is like a water, that can register everything". Variety magazine in the US even called her the Filipino Cinema Diva. The Chicago International Film Festival, addressed her on the invitation to sit as one of jurors as the "Meryl Streep of the Philippines".

So, long live to the Queen! We are forever proud of you!